Chapter 4: Research Methods

Question 1

Scientific method

Answer 1

The process of gathering and interpreting facts that generally consists of collecting initial observations, identifying a question, developing a hypothesis that might answer the question, collecting relevant data, developing a theory, and testing the theory

Question 2

Data

Answer 2

Methodical observation, which include numerical measurements of phenomena

Question 3

Replication

Answer 3

The process of repeating a study using the same data collection methods under identical or nearly identical conditions to obtain data that should have the same characteristics as those from the original study

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A preliminary idea that is proposed to answer a question about a set of observations

Question 5

Theory

Answer 5

A principle or set of principles that explains a set of data

Question 6

Predictions

Answer 6

Hypotheses that should be confirmed in a theory if correct

Question 7

Experiments

Answer 7

Research studies in which investigators intentionally manipulate one variable at a time, and measure the consequences of such manipulation on one or more other variables

Question 8

Independent variable

Answer 8

A variable that a researcher manipulates

Question 9

Dependent variable

Answer 9

A variable that is measures and that may change its values as a result of manipulating the independent variable

Question 10

Confounding vairbles

Answer 10

Factors that might inadvertently affect the variable of interest in an experiments

Question 11

Control group

Answer 11

A group of participants in an experiment for which the independent variable is not manipulated, but which is otherwise treated identically to the experimental group

Question 12

Bias

Answer 12

A tendency that distorts data

Question 13

Random assignment

Answer 13

Assigning participants to each group in a study using a procedure that relies on chance

Question 14

Sampling bias

Answer 14

The distortion that occurs when the participants in an experiment have not been drawn randomly from the relevant population under investigation

Question 15

Population

Answer 15

The complete set of possible relevant participants

Question 16

Sample

Answer 16

The small portion of a population that is examined in a study

Question 17

Internal validity

Answer 17

A characteristic of a study that indicates that it measures what it purports to measure because it has controlled for confounds

Question 18

External validity

Answer 18

A characteristic of a study that indicates that the results generalize from the sample to the population from which it was drawn and from the conditions used in the study to relevant conditions outside the study

Question 19

Correlation

Answer 19

The relationship between the measurements of two variables in which a change in the value of one variable is associated with a change in the value of the other variable

Question 20

Correlation coefficient

Answer 20

A number that quantifies that strength of the correlation between two variables; usually symbolized by r

Question 21

Statistically significant

Answer 21

The condition in which the value of a statistical test is greater than what would be expected by chance alone

Question 22

Epidemiology

Answer 22

The type of correlational research that investigates the rate of occurrence, the possible causes and risk factors, and the course of diseases or disorders

Question 23

Longitudinal studies (in psychopathology)

Answer 23

Studies designed to determine whether a given variable is a risk factor by using data collected from the same participants at various points in time

Question 24

Case studies (in psychopathology)

Answer 24

Research method that focuses in detail on one individual and the factors that underlie that person’s psychological disorder or disorders

Question 25

Single-participant experiments

Answer 25

Experiments with a single participant. For real.

Question 26

Meta-analysis

Answer 26

A research method that statistically combines the results of a number of studies that address the same question to determine the overall effect

Question 27

Experimental design

Answer 27

Use of independent and dependent variables and random assignment allows researchers to infer cause and effect

Question 28

Quasi-experiments

Answer 28

Used when it is possible to identify independent and dependent variables, but random assignment of participants to group is not possible; researchers can still infer cause and effect

Question 29

Correlational research

Answer 29

Used when it is not possible to manipulate independent variables such as etiological factors; researchers can examine relationships between variables

Question 30

Response bias

Answer 30

The tendency to respond in a particular way, regardless of what is being asked by the question

Question 31

Social desirability

Answer 31

A bias toward answering questions in a way that respondents think makes them appear socially desirable, even if the responses are not true

Question 32

Experimenter expectancy effect

Answer 32

The investigator’s intentionally or unintentionally treating participants in ways that encourage particular types of responses

Question 33

Double-blind design

Answer 33

A research design in which neither the participant nor the investigator’s assistant knows the group to which specific participants have been assigned or the predicted results of the study

Question 34

Reactivity

Answer 34

A behavior change that occurs when one becomes aware of being observed

Question 35

Placebo effect

Answer 35

A positive effect of a medically inert substance or procedure

Question 36

Attrition

Answer 36

The reduction in the number of participants during a research study

Question 37

Common factors

Answer 37

Helpful aspects of therapy that are shared by virtually all types of psychotherapy

Question 38

Specific factors

Answer 38

The characteristics of a particular treatment or technique that lead it to have unique benefits, above and beyond those conferred by common factors

Question 39

Randomized clinical trial (RCT)

Answer 39

A research design that has at least two groups–a treatment group and a control group (usually a placebo control)–to which participants are randomly assigned

Question 40

Allegiance effect

Answer 40

A pattern in which studies conducted by investigators who prefer a particular theoretical orientation tend to obtain data that supports that particular orientation

Question 41

Dose-response relationship

Answer 41

The association between more treatment (a higher dose) and greater improvement (a better response)